Forget Valentine's Day. Instead, Practice These Seven Rules of Romance 365 Days of the Year

Start your Valentine's Day planning early. Better yet, say Josie and Martin Brown, practice a random act of romance every day of the year, with these Seven Rules for Romance...

(PRWEB) January 11, 2005 -- Guys, Valentine’s Day is almost here. Are you sweating bullets yet?

As in past years, you’re already polling the other guys in your circle as to their own game plans—and what you’re learning is that your buddies are as clueless as yourself, although they are savvy enough to realize that the old standards—a dozen roses, perhaps accompanied by a delectable box of bonbons and the latest tried-and-true J Lo fragrance—is a bush league answer to the new millennium Valentine's Day dilemma, so don't even go there.

And when you let your fingers do the walking through the local phonebook, you discover that the real players have already reserved their tables at the trendiest restaurant in town, or booked a suite at that local bed-and-breakfast at least three months in advance.

This year, don’t let history repeat itself. Start your planning early.

Better yet, say Josie and Martin Brown, don’t wait until Valentine's Day to demonstrate your love and devotion. Instead, do what couples who share lifelong happy and passionate marriages do: Practice a random act of romance every day of the year.

The Browns, syndicated relationship writers and the authors of Marriage Confidential: 102 Honest Answers to the Questions Every Husband Wants to Ask, and Every Wife Needs to Know [Signal Press, feel that a daily dose of passion is easier to do than it sounds—as long as you have a game plan in place. They suggest that you rotate these seven romance rules, and you'll soon have a daily routine:

Rule #1: Always make dates -- and always keep them. “Just because your married doesn't mean you should stop dating,” says Martin Brown. “Now more than ever you should take your wife out for a great time out on the town -- not to impress her (hey, she thought enough of you to marry you, so you've already done that), but because you love sharing new experiences with her. That said, take the initiative in lining up the babysitter and making all necessary reservations. Such ongoing courtship says, ‘I love you, and I want the whole world to know it.’"

Rule #2: Send her love notes. Says Josie Brown: “Even one simple line such as, ‘I can't stop thinking about you’ or ‘You make my heart skip a beat’ will make her day. Leave it under her pillow or in her pocketbook. Or send it via email. In any event, the message will be clear: you you're always thinking about her, and you hope she's doing the same.”

Rule #3: Touch her. “Don't be stingy with your hugs,” warns Martin. “When you see her lying down, offer to massage her feet, her back or her shoulders. Taking her in your arms leaves her with a feel-good message: I never want to let you go.”

Rule #4: Don't spare the kisses. “Be it a quick smooth, or a long, lingering kiss, your lips on hers says more than any words you'll ever utter,” says Josie.

Rule #5: Set the mood. “Make dinner for her. When you do so, set the table and light the candles, too,” explains Martin. “Women are always amazed when their men take the initiative to set the stage for a passionate evening.”

Rule #6: Surprise, surprise! Do something totally out of character for you. “For example, if you buy a bouquet of roses, don't just hand it to her or stick it in a vase. Instead, scatter their petals from the front door to the bedroom—and wait for her there,” says Josie.

Rule #7: Think out of the box. “Your daily romance routine should never be the same,” explains Martin. “When thinking about her, go for your personal best—and she'll match it with some great passionate plays of her own."

Josie Brown and Martin Brown are the authors of Marriage Confidential: 102 Honest Answers to the Questions Every Husband Wants to Ask, and Every Wife Needs to Know [Signal Press. They are also the co-founders of the Relationship Newswire, and editors of John Gray's Mars Venus Advice syndicated column. To schedule an interview with Josie Brown and Martin Brown, call Signal Press/Relationship NewsWire at (415) 464-8707, or contact via email: TheBrowns@marriageconfidential.com.

# # #